Scholarship Requirements & Information
2023 Scholarship Application
The American Association of State Troopers Foundation, Inc. accepts scholarship applications from the dependents of trooper members for assistance with their post-secondary education expenses. Dependents are defined as: child by natural birth, child legally adopted, stepchild, or child raised as a member's own (claimed as a dependent on income tax).
For a student to be eligible, their AAST member parent must have been a member in good standing for two (2) consecutive years prior to the July 31 application deadline for the year the student is applying. Students can be eligible to apply each year for a total of four scholarships.
Scholarship Award Cycles
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$500 First Scholarship Applicant Criteria Requirements:
• An original, official transcript indicating a minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) at an accredited school.
• HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS must submit a final four-year high school transcript. If your transcript does not indicate your grades for all four years of high school, it will not be considered.
• COLLEGE STUDENTS must submit a current official college transcript indicating all grades earned through the current year which you are applying.
• A letter of acceptance from an accredited college, state university, community college or technical school for the upcoming academic year.
• A typed essay of 500 WORDS entitled "How My Education Will Advance My Career Plans."
• A small photo of applicant attached to the bottom of the application where indicated.
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$1,000 Second Scholarship Applicant Criteria Requirements:
• An original, official transcript indicating that a minimum 3.25 GPA (4.0 scale) was maintained during the fall through spring semesters preceding the current award cycle deadline of July 31st.
• A letter or registration notice as proof of enrollment for the upcoming academic year.
• A small photo of applicant attached to the bottom of the application where indicated.
• No essay is required for the second scholarship.
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$1,000 Third Scholarship Applicant Criteria Requirements:
• An original, official transcript indicating that a minimum 3.5 GPA (4.0 scale) was maintained during the fall through spring semesters preceding the current award cycle deadline of July 31st.
• A letter or registration notice as proof of enrollment for the upcoming academic year.
• A small photo of applicant attached to the bottom of the application where indicated.
• No essay is required for the third scholarship.
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$1,000 Fourth Scholarship Applicant Criteria Requirements:
• An original, official transcript indicating that a minimum 3.75 GPA (4.0 scale) was maintained during the fall through spring semesters preceding the current award cycle deadline of July 31st.
• A letter or registration notice as proof of enrollment for the 2018-2019 academic year.
• A small photo attached to the bottom of the application where indicated.
• No essay is required for the fourth scholarship.
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$1,500 V.J. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Requirements:
• Third Scholarship Applicants only.
• Available to Florida applicants only.
• Only one scholarship is awarded annually to a student who is intending to use his or her education to pursue a career in law enforcement. If the applicant is not accepted for the V.J. Johnson Memorial Scholarship, assuming all other criteria are met, the applicant will then be considered for the general third scholarship award.
• An original, official transcript indicating that a minimum 3.8 GPA (4.0 scale) was maintained during the fall through spring semesters for which the second scholarship award was granted.
• A letter or registration notice as proof of enrollment for the upcoming academic year.
• A typed essay of 500 WORDS entitled "How My Education Will Advance My Plans for a Career in Law Enforcement."
• A small photo of applicant attached to the bottom of the application where indicated.
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$1,000 Howard Collins Memorial Scholarship:
The Collins family has dedicated an annual scholarship to honor Howard Collins as a Florida State Trooper, Navy Veteran and family man. Howard was born May 21, 1923 and passed away December 7, 2017.
In 1941 Howard joined the Navy and flew PBY rescue and anti-submarine missions. After suffering injuries in 1944 he was discharged from the Navy.
He joined the Florida Highway Patrol in 1946 and retired in 1970 after a distinguished career. From 1953-1956 he served on the Governors security detail. After retiring from the Highway Patrol, he worked with the U.S. Marshalls Office and N.A.S.A. Security.
He later relocated to Missouri and became a City Judge. During his life he always encouraged his children to explore and succeed.
This yearly 1,000.00 scholarship will be awarded to the first Florida applicant who meets AAST scholarship guidelines and has any family history of military service and is qualified to receive a second, third or fourth year scholarship.
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$500 Lt. Colonel John W Carmody, Florida Highway Patrol Memorial Scholarship:
The Carmody family has established a memorial scholarship to honor Lt. Colonel John Carmody’s career as a Florida State Trooper. John was born on August 31,1937 and passed away on January 3, 2021.
He began his career with the FHP in 1956 as a radio teletype operator and continued advancing in his career receiving his final promotion to Lt. Colonel. LTC Carmody retired after 37 years of dedicated service to the Florida Highway Patrol. LTC Carmody was stationed in numerous parts of the state during his career starting in Miami. He was also stationed in Key West, Plantation, and his final position in Tallahassee. He continued his state service working for the Department of Management Services in the development and implementation of the statewide 800 MHz law enforcement radio communications system until he fully retired in 1998.
During his career he served in numerous capacities with one special assignment, in the planning and security of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Miami. LTC Carmody a devote Catholic, was able to personally meet the Pope.
It his retirement he loved spending time with his family and was extremely proud of his family’s accomplishments and spoiling his grandchildren, and great grandchild.
Lt. Colonel Carmody believed that knowledge is power, and he encouraged others to take advantage of the options available to expand your education.
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$500.00 Colonel David H. Brierton, Jr. Memorial Scholarship:
This yearly 500.00 scholarship will be awarded to the first Florida applicant who meets AAST scholarship guidelines.
Obituary for Col. David Hugh Brierton Jr.
It is with deep sorrow that the family of Colonel David Hugh Brierton Jr., of Tallahassee, Florida announces his passing on December 19, 2022, at the age of 63. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 16, 1959, to David Brierton Sr. and Jo Ann De la Paz Brierton. On November 15, 1993, he married the love of his life Deborah DiMartino. The Col. graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from Mountain State University.
A lifelong law enforcement officer, he served in the U.S. Army with the military police before becoming a Florida State Trooper in 1983, faithfully serving the residents and visitors of Florida for more than 32 years with honor and distinction. Col. Brierton quickly advanced in rank and earned the respect of his colleagues. He began his career in Miami-Dade, serving as a trooper and a sergeant. In 1989, he was promoted to lieutenant and relocated to Bradenton. In 1993, he was promoted to captain and returned to South Florida where he supervised operations in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. In 2003, he was promoted to major and assigned to FHP Headquarters in Tallahassee, where he supervised Investigations and Professional Compliance. In 2006, he was appointed lieutenant colonel and charged with oversight of Patrol Operations, Investigations, Contraband Interdiction, Emergency Operations, and Homeland Security. His work ethic, dedication, and humility distinguished him from his peers and led to his appointment to colonel in 2011, a position he maintained until he retired in 2015.
Col. Brierton had a vast knowledge of a myriad of topics, was an avid musician, and had a passion for technology. His altruistic nature and easygoing manner made him beloved by all who knew him. He was a devoted catholic and had a charitable heart. Col. Brierton was a natural mentor to many, providing support in achieving their highest potential. He never wasted an opportunity to advise and teach. Col. Brierton was blessed with a large and loving family. As a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, he had no greater pleasure than spending time with his family.
Col. Brierton now joins David Brierton (Father), Jo Ann Brierton (Mother), James Brierton (Brother), and Nadine Faulk (Sister) in heaven. He is survived by his wife Deborah Brierton; his six children Katharina (Jimmy) Lane, Josh Escude, David Brierton III, Joseph Brierton, Jennifer Brierton, Jo Ann Brierton; and grandchildren Jacob Lane, David Brierton IV, Zoey Brierton, Autumn Lane, and Chloe Brierton.